SAN JOSE DE BUENAVISTA, Antique – The Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) has monitored 362 cases of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) and eight deaths from the three municipalities of Antique.
IPHO information officer Irene Dulduco said in an interview on Wednesday the deaths were from municipalities of Hamtic and Valderrama with three each and two from San Remigio.
They died after consuming water from contaminated sources.
Dulduco said in Hamtic, two of the three deaths were monitored on Nov. 11, weeks after Severe Tropical Storm Paeng hit the province.
“During our water sampling, the water source of the residents were found to be positive of E. coli bacteria that caused the acute gastroenteritis,” Dulduco added.
She said the water has been contaminated since their pipelines were submerged in floodwaters resulting in residents of Barangay Poblacion 5 suffering from AGE.
Hamtic has a total of 61 AGE cases, including fatalities.
Other AGE cases were from the 17 barangays of Valderrama with 211 and from the two barangays of San Remigio with 98.
The public has been advised to drink mineral water and immediately report if they have severe abdominal cramps, diarrhea, and vomiting to be given immediate treatment by health professionals.
“They should also prevent themselves from dehydration,” Dulduco said.
She added said that they continue to monitor cases from other towns in the province. (PNA)